Remote work and virtual board meetings appear to be here for the long haul since the pandemic is forcing businesses to change their working methods. The flexibility of a digital meeting allows participants to attend without having to consider travel restrictions or quarantine periods and can also help reduce costs associated with hotels and flights.
Online meetings are simple to set up and have become increasingly commonplace for mission-driven organizations that want to maintain their communication open despite the COVID-19 crisis. It is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls associated with digital meetings, so you can avoid them and ensure your online board meetings are as efficient as you can.
The software platform that you use to host your hybrid or virtual meetings is vital. Choose a platform that includes a Waiting Room function to shield your meeting from attendees who are not authorized and only allow attendees who are invited by the meeting’s co-host or host. Provide training to your board members so that they can become familiar with the technology.
Encourage your board members to utilize a headset or speakerphone for the duration of the meeting and to declutter their offices so that it appears camera-ready, free from personal photos and other distracting items. Also, remind them to sit in a chair rather than sitting on the bed or their couch to help to appear more professional and professional at the time of the meeting. Encourage them to speak up at the beginning of the session so that everyone can hear and the meeting can begin on an optimistic note.
